A propos of which there was an excellent article about Finland's National Service in the T

Here's the link User Posted Link though I never know if these links will work on here - sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

"The year-long call-up comes for every man in the autumn after they turn 18, though a third of conscripts choose civilian service over military training, often working in schools, hospitals or libraries. Refusing to do either can lead to 173 days in prison — but most comply willingly.

“I never forget the friends I made during conscription,” says Sauli Niinisto, who stepped down as president of Finland last year after 12 years in office. “You have a quite tough experience together that unites you, from totally different positions in society. This is how the common opinion, the mindset, comes together.”

Posted By: Old Git, Jun 7, 09:45:58